The way that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu began this Knesset meeting is extremely noteworthy. Bibi began by thanking G-d.
Bibi Thanks G-d That the Final Hostage Came Home
It has been a challenging last few years for the Jewish people. But it has also been filled with moments of unprecedented miracles and faith. It has been filled with moments where the Jewish people—both religious and not religious—have thanked G-d. And those moments must not go unnoticed.
In the beginning of this Knesset meeting, Bibi chose to begin with a blessing to G-d thanking Him for the return of Ran Gvili’s body—the final hostage that Hamas was brutally withholding from his family and from the people of Israel. Although all the living hostages returned home already, Ran’s family was still waiting for his body to be returned for a proper burial. His family could not properly mourn him until he returned and was buried. And now, since 2014, thank G-d not one Israeli hostage remains in Gaza. This is something to truly bless the One Above for and thank Him for. It is truly a moment of celebration.
And Bibi did not ignore G-d and attribute anything solely to humans. Of course we are so thankful to our brave IDF soldiers and the Israeli government for working tirelessly to bring Ran (and the rest of the hostages) home. But we cannot thank humans alone. We must recognize that everything comes from G-d.
And the fact that Israel’s prime minister recognized this is not something to be taken for granted. It’s special that he publicly thanked G-d at the Knesset meeting.